Carers Assesment - what is it?

Replies

By hal

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 07:51

Hi Lisa

Here is some info you may want to look into on Carers Assesments

www.nhs.uk

Hope this helps you

Hal

By Cathy C

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 08:18

Hi there, a lady who I work with had a carers assessment last Monday and SS are paying for her and her husband to have a break from their children for the weekend. All the children have additional needs. The carers assessment team are a totally different department to the "at risk" team for want of a better word!!! Dont worry xxx

By spring

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 08:20

From personal experience I would suggest that one of the main things is what you want to happen if, for example, you have to go into hospital and are not able to care for your son for a period of time. If grandparents/friends are 100% to be relied on make sure they know and are agreeable. if not, there needs to be a written action plan in place. They are not checking up on you this is your chance to ask for respite, playschemes during the school holidays (if you're son is still at school), overnight stays etc. Try to make a list of anything that would make your caring role easier and don't let the word 'no' put you off.

By woodstock

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 10:29

Its not like the carers team dont talk to the other social work teams though - they all report to each other. It all goes on your file.

By kerry.

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 11:59

Lisa there is something fundamentally wrong with a system that waits until you break down before offering you what they should have offered you 4 years ago!!!!
Assuming this was not the first visit by this SW, so how come she/he hasn't offered you this a long time ago????????
It is in your and your families best interests to have one- it's not aboutthem taking away your child- blimey mate they don't even take kids away when they should most of the time because of the cost involved so you're alright there. it's just to see what you need- tell them! Write a list if you have to thinking of all the things you'd like help with:
respite, young carers if you have other non disabled children under 18, charities which they could tell you about which may help you with funding for certain things, also the family fund, DLA/Mobility etc tc.
Best of luck, and dont worry!

By jennifer

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 13:28

Just tell the truth. : )

By Lisa J

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 14:10

Thanks guys. I think I might not have had anything before because whenever they asked how I am I said "fine". Don't want anyone to think i'm not managing. I really felt like by asking for help or really telling them how I was would reflect badly on me. I dont even like my family to know. I try hard to keep up this front that says " I'm fine" so as not to bother anyone. I try to be as open and honest with her when she comes. I think with the social worker having cerebal palsy herself I feel like a fraud!! She manages fine then why shouldn't I?

Thanks again XX

By kerry.

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Tue 9 Feb 2010 18:19

Lisa
you will always find others 'worse off' honey. Because you need a little help does not in any way make you a fraud and nor does it reflect on your ability to cope. Who knows what other help your SW gets? and another thing, she can go home from her job and chill out, you can't, not with your child needing you 24/7.
Asking for help is the first step to your own survival. We all like to think we're omnipotent, infallible and super human but the fact is, none of us are. We are merely human and with needs of our own.
Without help (to which you are perfectly entitled by the way) who knows how long you could continue doing such a sterling job with your child? This does not make you a weakling or pathetic, OK?
Get the assessment and be honest with her! allow her to do the job she earns mega bucks for! It's why she did a social work degree after all. Her job would be pretty boring if all her clients said everything was fine wouldn't it!

By Plumrose

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Thu 11 Feb 2010 15:27

I have just read your post. Never admit or look like your coping. My Mother looked after my Father when he had Parkinsons and she always kept a clean and tidy house and would present my Father clean and well dressed. The fact she would rise at 5am and not get to bed before midnight was never a consideration when the SS came they always reported them as self sufficient, give them the slightest reasons not to help and they will grab at it, not because they are nasty but because they are visitng people who can't cope as well or who play the 'game'. So they dish our the meager help that is available to the ones they assess as the msot needy. NEVER put on a face or an act that you can cope, they are not trained to tell and it is very convient for them to not question it. My Mothers pride cost us as a family, because she coulnd't cope.

By Angggg

Re: Carers Assesment - what is it?
Sat 13 Feb 2010 10:39

Hi Lisa,
I am a SW student and have worked with carers who provide care for disabled adults. A carer's assessment is not to to evidence you're ability to care but to highlight support systems that will help you to continue caring. Some carers have told me that without services provided by SS they would not still be caring for the disabled person because they had 'reached the end of their tether'. Please be honest with your SW because she will be able to offer you support if you want it. Your SW has a legal duty to offer you a carers assessment and this should have been done long before now even if you have been managing well. As a formal carer you also have a legal right to have support services if you wish to attend educational evening classes, employment or leisure activities. Therefore SS have a legal obligation to provide services such has a sitter for your son or daycare BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT IT.
I admire you for doing a demanding but very rewarding job as a mum and full time carer. If i was in a similar situation i'd consider the support thats available because you have needs and a life to live.
Take Care
Ang